I am a novice about trucks and deisel engins so all the help you can give me will be quite appreciated. Please speak in laymens terms so that I can understand.
My truck-2002 Ram 3500 Deisel with 54,000 miles
Auto Transmission
3:55 Rear End
Towing-2003 Holiday Rambler Presidential 5th Wheel weighing 14,500 lbs.

My problem--Going up long 6% grades. I have to take overdrive off, and downshift to 2nd or 1st gear and its a strain. According to the manual, I can only tow 9,640 with a GCWR of 16,000.

I need more power and torque. Questions is----would adding a Banks Power Pak and Torque Converter help me out or is it a waste of money.
Thanks for your help and again please tell me so that I can understand.

 

A converter will definitely help you get more of that power to the ground. Any kind of power adder will help too but it is highly recommended that you get at least an EGT guage and trans temp guage if you are towing a lot... You can easily make that truck a towing Beast!!!!

 

..that seems like a LOT of weight behind 3:55's and a stock 47RE, you might consider making the tranny bullet-proof before doing much more.....

 

i fixed your spelling just helping a diesel nut helping a diesel nut

 

You will also want a fuel pressure gauge... A must on the 98.5-02 Cummins.

 

You need to change your gearing to 4.11s. The 3.55s don't help with towing that heavy.

 

First, get the transmission up graded. I recommend DTT for this. Any power increase will cause the OEM torque convertor to slip.

Second, get gauges. With an increase of power you could get higher EGTs and melt the pistons if you use all the power on a long hill with the weight you will be pulling.

Third, increase the power. Banks is good but you can get more power for less money. Get a box like the edge comp or the Smarty or TST. Then some injectors like DD2s. You could also consider upgrading the turbo.

I think if you do all this you will be happy with the power and will not need to go to a 410 rear end. You should be able to pull as fast as you want on any hill, just turn the OD off and keep the rpm up and smile as you pass all the Fords and Chevys.